Finished


    Duke never would’ve guessed that the only reason Carmen hadn’t already made a move on him…. was because she mistakenly thought he was gay.


    The car pulled up outside a low–key yet refined inn near the edge of Mooncrest. Duke got out first, opened the passenger door for her, and escorted her inside to handle the check–in personally.


    Once the room was arranged, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ck card he hadn’t managed to give her thest time. He extended it toward her without hesitation.


    “About what happened before…” Duke’s voice was low and sincere, tinged with regret. “I was out of line. This card–it’s a small gesture. I hope you’ll ept it.”


    He kept his tone soft, non–threatening, but when Carmen hesitated, he forced the card into her hand.


    Carmen blinked, momentarily taken aback.


    She hadn’t expected him to actually go through with it.


    “I… I don’t need this,” she said coldly.


    But only she knew how much she needed that money.


    Still, an image had to be maintained–her persona couldn’t shatter so easily.


    When it was time to perform<b>, </b>she performed well.


    “You take it.” She tried to hand it back.


    Duke had expected her to refuse. This girl–stubborn and willful–still carried the untainted pride of a university student.


    A million credits? She turned it down without even blinking.


    It only made Duke see her in a better light.


    At least all the running around tonight hadn’t been for nothing.


    He shoved her hand away. “I said take it. If you don’t want it, throw it in the trash.”


    His voice held a quiet dominance. His gaze was unyielding.


    “It’ste. Get some rest,” Duke said as he turned to leave, arching a brow at himself. In his mind, his performance just now had been perfect–cold, cool, confident. Surely enough to leave a deep impression on the girl.


    He didn’t realize Carmen was watching his retreating figure with a smirk dancing on her lips.


    Amused.


    She had one thought: Sp dumb. So clueless. But so fun.


    Just for being this entertaining, she’d forgive the fact that he was friends with people like Kael Vale and Theo Hale.


    As long as he didn’t mess with Riley, she’d let him be.


    Feeling more than satisfied, Carmen tucked the card into her pocket like a precious trophy.


    Tomorrow, she’d go find Riley and discuss their ns for leaving Mooncrest behind.


    Ber mother had told her that the Duskgrave wolves treated Riley well.


    But Carmen had learned–never trust men.


    Especially not rich, possessive Alphas.


    3:54 PM P P.


    Finished


    Today they doted on you like a goddess. Tomorrow, they could destroy you without blinking–taking back everything they once gave and more.


    Carmen knew: after what Riley had been through, she probably didn’t trust men anymore either.


    That night, Carmen slept peacefully. No dreams.


    By the time the early sunlight touched the rooftops, she was already up and moving.


    Yesterday, her mother had given her the address of the Duskgrave estate.


    Her connection to Riley wasn’t just sisterhood.


    For Riley, the entire Ebonw Pack had been nothing but cold faces and sharp tongues—except for Mia, the old housekeeper.


    And Carmen.


    Carmen had once biked through a torrential rainstorm to deliver Riley’s exam admission slip the morning of her Mooncrest Academy entrance exam. She’d broken her wrist in the process.


    Because of that injury, Carmen’s own Mooncrest Academy entrance exam had suffered. She missed the chance to get into Mooncrest Academy and insteadnded at Halston Academy.


    Riley had med herself for that for years.


    Neither Mia nor Carmen had owed her anything–but they’d both treated her with real warmth.


    That was why, when the Ebonw wolves tried to use Mia and Carmen to threaten Riley after she got out of prison, she had kept silent, enduring everything, just to protect them.


    And for Carmen, Riley wasn’t just a sister. She had been a mentor.


    Before Riley, Carmen’s grades had been average at best.


    But with Riley’s help–personal tutoring, three years straight, through storms and hardship–Carmen rose to the top of her ss.


    From first year to third, she’d ranked number one in the grade. Her academic awards lifted a massive financial burden off her mother’s shoulders.


    Even when the wrist injury ruined her chances at Mooncrest, Riley hadn’t given up on her.


    While in prison, Riley had asked her mother to pass down all three years‘ worth of her hand–written notes to Carmen.


    Those notes had helped Carmen, despiteing from a regr high school, get into Ashomoor University–one of the top- ranked universities in the city.


    Now, it was Carmen’s turn to repay the favor.


    And for Riley, she’d fight the entire world if needed.


    Send Gifts


    294